Corbett to tap new education secretary

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration is telling lawmakers that he’ll name a central Pennsylvania public school superintendent as his new education secretary, with outgoing Ron Tomalis becoming an adviser on post-secondary education issues.

Administration officials said in an email that Corbett will nominate Cumberland Valley School District Superintendent William Harner as his new education secretary Wednesday.

The email calls the 56-year-old Harner “an excellent addition to our team.” Tomalis’ two-year tenure was both busy and rocky, coming at a time when the Corbett administration carried out deep cuts in aid to schools and universities.

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Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday and a message left at Harner’s office was not immediately returned Wednesday.

After he is officially nominated, Harner must be confirmed by the Senate.